Water Gardening

At Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery, we understand that a pond is more than water—it’s an ecosystem. Whether you’re looking to control algae, provide shelter for fish, or simply enhance your garden’s beauty, we are ready to help you maintain a balanced, thriving water feature. Visit our garden center for expert guidance and the finest selection of aquatic plants, fish, and pond supplies.

Why Add Aquatic Plants to Your Pond?

Aquatic plants are more than exotic additions to your water feature—they are essential for a balanced, thriving pond. These hard-working plants provide shade, food, and protection for fish while also helping to control algae growth and improve water quality.

Aquatic plants are typically grouped into four varieties: Water Lilies, Marginals, Floating Plants, and Submerged Plants.

Water Lilies: The Timeless Pond Favorite

To keep water lilies healthy and thriving, it’s important to remove spent foliage regularly throughout the growing season and before winter. Using planting pockets allows for easy placement of potted lilies while keeping their containers discreetly hidden beneath rocks. As temperatures drop, relocating potted lilies to the bottom of the pond can help them withstand colder conditions. Additionally, fertilizing with granular time-released fertilizer or lily tablets will encourage larger, more frequent blooms, ensuring a vibrant and beautiful display throughout the season.

Hardy Water Lilies

  • Reliably perennial in USDA Zones 3-11
  • Bloom in white, pink, red, yellow, or soft pink
  • Flowers float directly on the water and open during the day
  • Smaller, delicate in appearance compared to tropical varieties

Tropical Water Lilies

  • Larger and showier with vibrant color options
  • Hardy in USDA Zones 10-11, but can grow in colder zones if water remains above 70°F
  • Some varieties bloom at night

Marginal Aquatics: The Water’s Edge Plants

Marginal aquatic plants thrive along pond edges, naturally filtering water and removing excess nutrients that promote algae growth. In rock and gravel ponds, they grow best when placed directly in the gravel, maximizing filtration. Hardy varieties can remain in the pond year-round, while tropical marginals should be potted and moved indoors before winter to ensure their survival.

Popular Marginal Plants

  • Cattails
  • Papyrus
  • Water Irises
  • Blue Moneywort

Floating Plants: The Surface Beauties

These plants float effortlessly on the water’s surface while their roots hang below. Most floating plants are tropical, though some are hardy perennials in climates with cold winters.

A Few Floating Plants

  • Water Hyacinths (not the garden-variety bulb)
  • Water Lettuce, an excellent choice to disguise BioFalls filters

Submerged Aquatics: Nature’s Water Purifiers

Often referred to as oxygenators (though they release carbon dioxide at night), submerged plants are efficient at absorbing nutrients and providing hiding places for fish.

Common Submerged Aquatics

  • Hornwort
  • Lemon Bacopa
  • Horsetail Rush
  • Miniature Spearwort

Aquatic Plants Bring Color to Your Pond

Other Noteworthy Aquatic Plants

For a unique water garden, consider adding some of these special plants:

  • lotusLotus
  • Pitcher Plants
  • Sundews
  • Certain Hibiscus Varieties
  • Red Rice
  • Ruellia
  • Lobelia
  • Loosestrife Sunset
  • Alternanthera
  • Water Wisteria

Aquatic Life: A Pond Full of Movement

Aquatic life Koi fishRohsler’s has all the aquatic life for your pond feature, including fish, plants, and more! You can choose from gorgeous Koi, Shubunkins, and Comets (red and white sarasa), or pick up some Bullfrog Tadpoles or Trapdoor Snails.

Rohsler’s also provides premium fish food, including flakes, pellets, and sticks from trusted brands like Blue Ridge and Tetra.

A well-balanced pond ecosystem can transform your outdoor space, providing endless enjoyment as you watch fish interact, tadpoles grow, and native frogs provide their evening serenade.

 

Enhance Your Pond with Accessories

  • Pond Kits (including Aquascape – various sizes are available)
  • Pumps, Hoses, Parts, & Related Accessories (including Aquascape)
  • Filtration Systems (including Aquascape and Laguna)
  • Pond & Fountain De-Icers (including Aquascape)
  • Complete Line of Chemical Treatments (including Aquascape and API)
  • Pond Salt & Barley (including Aquascape and Summit)
  • Nets & Netting (all sizes)
  • Pond Gravel (various sizes)
  • Stones (small to large boulders